Yet another Duck ID on Lake Ontario, December 27 (1 Viewer)

[Norm_Toronto]

Hi All,

I spent a productive four hours at Humber Bay Park on Lake Ontario in Toronto on December 27 and saw no less than 15 species of waterfowl (22 species of birds overall). Being a relative newcomer, I was, of course, over the moon. But I'm thinking perhaps I saw a 16th species and was hoping for assistance in identification. I got this distant view showing a couple of female Goldeneyes on the right, a Mallard in the foreground and a Redhead in the background. Flanking the Redhead are two I don't think I've seen before with their tails poking straight up. My best guess from my reading, is that they're both Ruddy Ducks -- a non-breeding male on the left and and a female on the right. Would you agree?

Best regards,
---Norm

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Spot on! 👍

 

[Norm_Toronto]

Thank you!

 

[KC Foggin]

I agree also.

 

[jmepler]

You are correct about the Ruddy Ducks, but the bird in the center is Canvasback, not a Redhead.

 

[Norm_Toronto]

You are correct about the Ruddy Ducks, but the bird in the center is Canvasback, not a Redhead.

Interesting! It does seem like there's only a bit of contrast between the shades of the back and flanks.

Another shot with a female Scaup emerging from the depths.

 

[AveryBartels]

Yes, Canvasback rather than Redhead. The overall shape of the two is a bit different, even at rest like this with Canvasback having a more sloped back to hind end. And being so (almost) clean white, rules out Redhead as well.